Click here to visit the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub knowledgebase.  SDG UPDATE A compilation of items recently posted to the SDG Knowledge Hub Tuesday, 20 February 2018 GUEST ARTICLES Demystifying the SDGs: The World’s Science Academies Launch a Guide for Leveraging Expertise If ever there was an example of how the world’s nations can work together for the good of the planet, it is the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. Whether poor, rich or middle-income, countries have promised to promote peace and human well-being whilst protecting the planet. The SDGs account for economic, environmental and social aspects of development, and include everyone, wherever they live and work. Halting Deforestation: From Aspiration to Action Imagine an area the size of Belgium, blanketed by forests and trees which provide food, fuel, medicine, shelter, and incomes for local habitants while conserving soil and water for farms and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. POLICY BRIEFS SDG Knowledge Weekly: Tax, Official Development Assistance and Urban Finance Last week’s SDG Knowledge Weekly brief looked at blended finance and the private sector actions as means for achieving the SDGs. This week, we explore the role of public finance for the SDGs, review events convened by the international community on tax collaboration and urban financing issues, and look ahead to this week’s meeting on the follow-up to the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on FFD. FEATURED IRENA Finds EU's Share of Renewables Could Double Without Extra Cost 19 February 2018: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released a report on cost effective opportunities for the expansion of renewable energy deployment in the EU. Member States Consult on Repositioning of Development System 16 February 2018: Governments are holding consultations on repositioning the UN development system to respond to the requirements of the 2030 Agenda, following the release of reform proposals by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in December 2017. The upcoming ECOSOC Segment on Operational Activities for Development (OAS) will serve as the first official platform for Member States and other stakeholders to discuss the Secretary-General’s proposals. WUF9 Promotes Implementation of New Urban Agenda, SDG 11 13 February 2018: The World Urban Forum (WUF) convened for the first time since countries adopted the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016. WUF’s ninth session (WUF), which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, focused on approaches and examples of good practice toward sustainability and inclusivity, under its overarching theme of ‘Cities 2030: Cities for All’. Many speakers called for aligning NUA monitoring and reporting with the follow-up and review process for the urban-related SDGs, in particular SDG 11 on sustainable cities. NEWS UK, Israel Reduce Plastic Pollution, the Theme of World Environment Day 19 February: As the UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment) announced that the theme for World Environment Day will be ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,' the UK and Israel have taken steps to reduce their country’s use of plastic and fight pollution in the world's oceans. Recent actions include banning microbeads, phasing out the use of plastic straws and reducing the use of plastic bags. Global Water Partnership Maps Project Outcomes 16 February 2018: The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has launched an interactive map depicting its project outcomes around the world. The projects can be viewed by region, country, and year of completion. SDSN Switzerland Launches, Identifying SDG Catalysts 15 February 2018: The 25th Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has been launched. SDSN Switzerland is based in Bern, and co-hosted by the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Bern, and Biovision – Foundation for Ecological Development. Hotels, Japanese Corporations, P4G Advancing SDGs and Climate Targets February 2018: Private sector groups and partners have announced funding and targets to support SDG implementation and achieve targets under the Paris Agreement on climate change. The hotel industry and Japanese companies are among the business entities taking action recently. IMF, World Bank, OECD Release Economic Growth Forecasts 11 January 2018: The latest World Economic Update by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finds that global economic activity continues to strengthen, with global output estimated to have grown by 3.7% in 2017, or 0.1% faster than projected. The World Bank published its report on 'Global Economic Prospects,' showing an upswing that could contribute to ending extreme poverty. Advocates Find Varying Inclusiveness of Persons with Disabilities in VNRs January 2018: The International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities for Sustainable Development found substantial variation in the inclusion of disability in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) presented at the 2017 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The groups released a report that present 13 case studies on the status of persons with disabilities and their engagement in the VNR process. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » Online Course for Policy Makers: Sustainable Energy for SIDS 5 February - 11 March 2018 | virtual FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC) 19-23 February 2018 | Khartoum, Al Khartum, Sudan SAICM Regional Meeting for Central and Eastern Europe 19-23 February 2018 | Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference 20-21 February 2018 | Brussels, Belgium SWFI Institutional Investor Forum 2018 20-22 February 2018 | US Working Across Sectors to Halt Deforestation and Increase Forest Area: From Aspiration to Action 20-22 February 2018 | Rome, Lazio, Italy Intergovernmental Negotiations on Migration Compact - February 2018 20-23 February 2018 | New York City, US Fourth Multi-stakeholder Hearing on Migration Global Compact 21 February 2018 | New York City, US High-level Forum for National SDG Coordinators from European and CIS States 21-22 February 2018 | Minsk, Belarus 2nd Pacific Climate Change Conference 21-23 February 2018 | Wellington, New Zealand Energizing the 2030 Agenda: Global Preparatory Meeting for Review of SDG 7 21-23 February 2018 | Bangkok (Krung Thep), Thailand Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals in North American Communities 22 February 2018 | virtual World Bank Group Briefing: Maximizing Finance for Development 22 February 2018 | New York City, US SME Ministerial Conference (SME 2018) 22-23 February 2018 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Morning Dialogue Series with UNGA President - Sixth Session 23 February 2018 | New York City, US 2nd Annual Women4Climate Conference 26 February 2018 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Funding for the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub has been provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) The IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub is a knowledgebase tracking implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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